SE Valley Times

CHANDLER, Ariz. – The Chandler City Council held a work session on Aug. 15 to gather information about ambulance services and discuss the feasibility of transitioning to a municipal emergency ambulance system in the future.

Chandler Fire has contracted emergency ambulance services since 2002 with five different providers. Ambulance service providers are currently embedded with the Chandler Fire Department through a contract that runs through 2026.

The City Council heard about Chandler Fire’s experiences and challenges with this model. Among the challenges discussed were hiring practices, turnover and training by service providers. Other challenges included operating procedures and equipment replacement plans, flexibility to meet service demands, and rates or fees charged to transport patients.

There are a dozen jurisdictions in the Valley that have transitioned to municipal emergency ambulance systems, including every jurisdiction that surrounds Chandler.

The City Council reviewed the results of a feasibility study conducted earlier this year by the James Vincent Group that analyzed the resource needs, deployment, and costs for a municipal ambulance service. The study determined that it is both operationally and financially feasible for Chandler Fire to provide ambulance services for the community.

The City Council discussion centered around the benefits and costs of making that transition. The primary benefits of a municipal emergency ambulance system include enhanced patient care and system coverage for Chandler residents and businesses.

The study also identified the needed resources and start-up costs to transition to a municipal emergency ambulance system. The start-up and personnel costs include purchasing nine ambulances plus related equipment and supplies as well as hiring 21 emergency medical technicians, six paramedics, and three support personnel.

The estimated $10 million in start-up and personnel costs would be recouped through collecting transport fees within the first five years of operating the municipal emergency ambulance system.

The timeline for such a transition would be January 2027 after concluding the contract with the current provider.

The City Council did not vote or take action during the work session but showed their support for establishing a future municipal emergency ambulance system.

The first step in pursuing this process would be for the City Council to approve purchasing ambulances at a regular meeting, which could occur as soon as this fall. Chandler Fire would need to submit a Certificate of Necessity application to the Arizona Department of Health Services for ground ambulance service next year.